Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH has won a contract from Airbus UK, Filton/Bristol, to develop and supply the nose landing gear for the new Airbus A350XWB. The contract was officially signed on the premises of Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH in Lindenberg, Germany, on September 12, 2007.

This contract is a particularly significant one for Liebherr-Aerospace. The nose landing gear of the Airbus A350 will be the largest set of landing gear that the company has ever yet developed. Large parts of it will be manufactured from high-strength steel. The processing of major structural parts made from such materials calls for an extremely high level of manufacturing expertise. The same applies to the use of new surface treatment methods that are specified for reasons of cost-efficiency and ecological considerations under the terms of this contract.

Airbus and Liebherr-Aerospace will continue working in close cooperation to develop this new Nose Landing gear and to meet as per plan the technological and physical demands under the very high performance standard of the new A350XWB.

To fulfill the contract, Liebherr will invest several million euros in large-scale machine tools for the turning, milling, grinding and deep drilling processes. In addition, a new CNC designing and programming system is currently being set up. In making this commitment, Liebherr is underpinning its position as a front runner among the globally established suppliers of landing gear for wide-body aircraft.

During the selection process, which formed part of the intensive preliminary development and planning phase, Airbus was able to see Liebherr's extensive experience in the design, configuration and qualification of landing gear structures and landing gear systems, as well as the high motivation of the development team.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus' response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers. The A350 has the widest fuselage in its category, offering improved levels of comfort and lower operating costs for aircraft in this market segment. Each version of the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations, and environmental concerns. Total firm orders and commitments for the A350 XWB stand at 254 aircraft from 14 Customers.

Liebherr is a leading supplier of systems for the aviation industry

Liebherr-Aerospace SAS, Toulouse (France) is one of eight divisional control companies of the Liebherr Group. It coordinates all activities in the aerospace and transportation technology sectors.

With over four decades of experience, Liebherr is a leading supplier of systems for the aviation industry. Its civil and military aviation product range includes flight control and actuation systems, hydraulic systems, landing gear and air management systems. Liebherr systems are deployed in wide-bodied aircraft, commuter and regional aircraft, business jets, combat aircraft, military transporters and training aircraft, as well as in civil and military helicopters.

Liebherr's Aerospace and Transportation Systems division employs over 3,400 people. Its three Original Equipment Manufacturer sites for aviation systems are located in Lindenberg (Germany), Toulouse (France) and Guaratinguetá (Brazil). Liebherr-Aerospace offers worldwide service, with the above-mentioned OEM sites and further offices in Saline, (Michigan, USA), Seattle (Washington, USA) Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia), Singapore, Shanghai (PR China) and Wuhan (PR China).